As the Summer progresses..

[Pattywack]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Sounds like a great set up. I had to set up two ten-gallon aquariums for my Bulbophyllum, Draculas and a few others that needed high humidity. I had very little success with Bulbos before the aquariums. Now, they love me!

Thanks Leafmite! I have my countertop greenhouse and Exo Terra still and love them but with our vacation looming I needed something to contain everything else! My windowsills are empty now and the time saved just from watering is wonderful.

I hesitate to try Neos in this set up as the humidity is very high and I am afraid they would stay wet too long. I may purchase a second unit for them and adjust my watering.

[charlesf6]

When repotting the Restrepia stump base tonight noticed that the top half was dry while the bottom half was wet & moist ( I had changed the medium to all small bark about 2 months ago. In square small plastic pot with added air holes contained in a clay pot.)
The AC in this room had been on for a bit a few evenings also.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

When repotting the Restrepia stump base tonight noticed that the top half was dry while the bottom half was wet & moist ( I had changed the medium to all small bark about 2 months ago. In square small plastic pot with added air holes contained in a clay pot.)
The AC in this room had been on for a bit a few evenings also.

It is very likely to revive and put out new leaves once it has conditions that it likes.

[Pattywack]

I have only one Restrepia, a brachypus. It has been a pain as it grows well and flowers but every leaf grows all scrunched up, accordion! This plant drove me nuts, no matter what I tried. It is potted in spagh, plastic pot. I added it to this grow shelf in late June and today it has 4 new, NORMAL leaves and one flower! I honestly believe it is the extra humidity. That is the only change I've made in months for this Restrepia. I've decided to keep it, was very close to tossing this plant. Try upping the humidity.

Where/how do you grow yours?

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by Pattywack

I have only one Restrepia, a brachypus. It has been a pain as it grows well and flowers but every leaf grows all scrunched up, accordion! This plant drove me nuts, no matter what I tried. It is potted in spagh, plastic pot. I added it to this grow shelf in late June and today it has 4 new, NORMAL leaves and one flower! I honestly believe it is the extra humidity. That is the only change I've made in months for this Restrepia. I've decided to keep it, was very close to tossing this plant. Try upping the humidity.

Where/how do you grow yours?

I have been growing it among the rest since last December & it had been okay looking although didn't actually look like it was flourishing.

It was shipped in bloom and was told this particular plant would constantly spike in which she didn't.

Didn't want to overwater (worried about that when I prolonged) and I kept away from lots of light, just noticed last few days leaves were turning from nice green to a light faded grey and curling, when inspected and feet they just pulled, dropped off very easily.

Grown in a six window room (so., west & no.) with lots of circulation except the few times the A/C was on at night.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

I have been growing it among the rest since last December & it had been okay looking although didn't actually look like it was flourishing.

It was shipped in bloom and was told this particular plant would constantly spike in which she didn't.

Didn't want to overwater (worried about that when I prolonged) and I kept away from lots of light, just noticed last few days leaves were turning from nice green to a light faded grey and curling, when inspected and feet they just pulled, dropped off very easily.

Grown in a six window room (so., west & no.) with lots of circulation except the few times the A/C was on at night.

If any consolation... I have a Restrepia muscifera that I was sure was a goner... nothing but crisp brown leaves. I just got an RO system, and that seems to have given it what it wants... I was ready to euthanize it when I saw fresh little green leaves poking up under the dead ones. The exact factor that causes revival will vary from grower to grower, but they can come back from near dead if they get whatever it was that they didn't like fixed . Restrepias do like to be on the damp side. I honestly don't know if it is better water, or maybe I"m just giving more of it in the process of playing with my new toy... but this little guy seems to like something...

[Orchid Whisperer]

The double clay pot suggestion earlier in the thread essentially creates a "zeer" that will keep roots cool by evaporation. (Google "zeer") it works better if there is wet sand between the 2 pots. Making one of the pots plastic essentially stops evaporation and cooling.

I use a large zeer to keep the roots cool on a Coelogyne cristata ("snow orchid") I am growing here in Georgia.

[Dollythehun]

Interesting.

[WalkingHorse]

I've had success (luck?) with my dracula here in my hot climate growing on a kool log. It started a spike about a month ago and as of last week another one is coming on.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

The double clay pot suggestion earlier in the thread essentially creates a "zeer" that will keep roots cool by evaporation. (Google "zeer") it works better if there is wet sand between the 2 pots. Making one of the pots plastic essentially stops evaporation and cooling.

I use a large zeer to keep the roots cool on a Coeogyne cristata ("snow orchid") I am growing here in Georgia.

Meaning NOT making one of the pots plastic??